click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Political Ideologies
Vocabulary List
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Political Culture | Widely shared political beliefs and values held by citiens of a society. For example: Indivisual liberty |
| Civic Duty | The belief that one has a responsibility to be involved in poltical affairs, such as voting. |
| Political Efficacy | A belief that one's voice can affect government policies |
| Individualism | The idea that each person has significance, worth, and rights that exist independently from the government |
| Equality Of Opportunity | The principle that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed |
| Limited Government | The government is restrained in their lawful use of power and may only exercise those powers assigned to it in the constitution |
| Free Enterprise | An economic system that is based upon private ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition |
| Political Socialization | Process by which political views and values are passed on to younger generations |
| Public Opinion | Citizens attitudes about societal and political issues, leaders, and events |
| Poll | A survey of public opinion |
| Random sample | Method of selecting individuals from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected |
| Sampling error | The margin of inaccuracy that results from polling a random sample as opposed to the entire population |
| Exit Polls | Polls based on interviews conducted on election day with randomly selected voters |
| Political Ideology | A set of beliefs about the role of the government and public policy |
| Liberal | Ideological view that favors greater government involvement regarding the economic regulations, and traditional social values |
| Conservative | Ideological view that favors limited government involvement, fewer economic regulations, and traditional social values |
| Libertarian | Ideological view that favors limited government involvement in all areas from economic regulations to social values |
| Keynesian Economics | The belief that the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation |
| Supply-side economics | The belief that lower taxes and fewer regulations will stimulate the economy |
| Fiscal Policy | Managing the economy by the use of tax and spending laws |
| Monetary Policy | Managing the economy by adjusting the supply of money and interest rates, responsibility of the Federal Reserve |
| Federal Reserve | This regulatory commission is the central banking system of the United States |
| Mandatory Spending | Spending that has been written into law that the government must pay out each year |
| Discretionary Spending | Spending not required to pay for interest on the national debt or entitlement programs; can be adjusted from year to year |
| Budget Deficit | The annual shortfall betweem what the government has spent in one year's time and what they have collected in taxes |
| National Debt | The total amount the U.S government owes from the foundation of the country to the present |
| Surplus | An excess in revenue after all expenses have been paid in a fiscal year |
| Entitlements | Programs individuals are eligible for when they meet certain pre-established eligibility requirements |